Lighting-fixture.



E C. WHHE.

LIGHTING FXXTURE.

APPHCATION FILED MAR. 31

Patente Jan. 18, 191 5.

.2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. C. WHITE.

,LIGHTING FIXTURE.

APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 31. I915.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

magma inventor:

lll ED @TfiiTEd li tTldlhlT ERNEST C. WHITE, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 9F ONE-HALF TO CHARLES AMIG-UEI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIGHTING-FIXTURE.

Application filed March 31, 1915.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ERNEST C. VVHITE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Evanston, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Lighting; Fixtures, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

The art of interior artificial lighting has now become divided into three recognized systems; direct lighting, in which the rays pass directly from the luminous point to the object; indirect lighting, in which the object is illuminated wholly by reflected rays; and semi-indirect lighting, in which the object is illuminated partially by reflected rays and partially by rays passing directly from the luminous point to it. In accordance with modern practice, one of these three systems is elected and fixtures so constructed as to cause illumination in accordance with the desired system, are installed. Nhere the degree of illumination required changes under varying uses of the chamber to be lighted, either throughout the interior or at some part thereof, or where it is desired to change the character of the illumination of the chamber at different times, it is necessary, under prevailing practices, to install in the chamber separate fixtures adapted to give illumination in accord ance with the systems briefly defined above, these fixtures being brought into use either singly or in combination with each other as desired. Obviously, this practice is unduly expensive, not only with respect to the initial cost of the fixtures but also in the consumption' of lighting power, and is illy adapted for the securing of the best lighting eflt'ects by the designer.

The present invention has for its object to provide a lighting fixture which shall another of the three lighting systems;

Inthe accompanying drawings there have been illustrated several different embodiments of the'invention order that the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 18, I916.

Serial No. 18,221.

broad scope thereof may be appreciated and the latitude in the matter of details of construction contemplated by the appended claims, seen. In accordance with the invention, an opaque reflector is so mounted with respect to the light and is so-constructed, that the rays of the light may be permitted to fall directly on the object, may pass to the object wholly by reflection, or may pass to the object partly by reflection and partly through direct travel thereto, in accordance with special manipulation of the reflector or its associated parts. In one convenient form, the reflectpr of the improved fixture is made invertible, so that when supported in a depending position, the light sheds its rays directly on the object, while when supported in inverted position, the rays of light are thrown upward to the Walls or ceiling and so reflected to the object. In this em bodiment, the reflector may be provided with detachable means whereby a portion of the light may be permitted to pass directly to the object even when the reflector is in inverted position, thereby combining an element of direct lighting with indirect lighting. This same effect may be secured in other embodiments of the invention, even where the reflector is not invertible. In such other embodiments, the fixed reflector by which indirect lighting is secured, may have associated therewith suitable devices operable to permit part of the rays to pass I partly in elevation, of a fixture embodying i the invention, the reflector "being-indicated independing position by dotted lines. Fig;

2 IS a fragmentary detail view on a some- What larger scale of a portion of the improved reflector, showing the form' of slottherein for cooperation with the supporting devices. Fig.3 is a detail'view of one form of supporting device for the improved reflector, a fragment of the reflector being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a View similar to 3 but indicating .the reflector as in inverted position. 5 is a sectional View,

taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the detachable cap by which an'element of direct lighting may be secured. Fig. 6 is a view in section of a slightly modified form of reflector, on which view indetail taken through a portion of the reflector of Fig. 7 and the cap carried thereby, and showing one means for supporting the cap detachably on the reflector. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 of still another form of fixture embodying the invention. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in detail of a portion of the devices shown in Fig. 9 for controlling the passage of light through the reflector.

In this specification the term object is used to refer particularly to a limited zone or area to be illuminated and which may be supposed to be occupied bv a desk, table or other thing, and the rays referred to are assumed, for convenience, to emanate from an electric light, although it is evident that any other source of light may be used. The fixture, indicated generally at a, may carry a fitting a from which extend supporting arms a for the opaque reflector b, one or more of these arms being movable laterally as through spring hinges a or otherwise, to

permit their engagement or disengagement with the reflector.

On the fixture a is also carried a lamp socket a in which is fitted the source of light 0. In supporting the reflector 7) from the arms a, a very simple construction has been employed in that the reflector has been slotted, as at b, at points opposite the ends of ,the arms a and these arms have been formed at their ends with hooks a adapted to enter the slots b respectively, the noses of the hooks engaging the inner surface of the reflector b and retaining the reflector in place until the hooks are withdrawn by especial manipulation of the arms a? in a manner which will be obvious. It is important to note that the supporting devices dis'clpsed, while merely illustrative of one way of supporting the reflector I), possess the advantage of being simple in construction, and are of such character as to insure practically a light-proof closure 'at the point of engagement of the hooks a with-the slots 72'. This closure is effected by making the slots bof substantially the width of the arms a and by forming the ends of the arms with shoulders a, one or both 'ofwhich engage the outer surface of the reflector b and, prevent the filtering of light therethrough, as appears plate.

clearly from Figs. 3 and 4. Again, this method of supporting the reflector b has the virtue that the reflector can be inverted as indicated in Fig. 1, and the same cooperation between the slots 6 and the noses a effected when the reflector is in this inverted position. Accordingly, by a very simple manipulation of the arms a}, one may invert the reflector b and transform the lighting fixture from one of the indirect lighting type to one of the direct lighting type, as will appear hereinafter. Oneend 'of the reflector I) may have a shouldered flange b stamped therein on the outer periphery of which may be fixed laterallyextending pins b adapted to pass through notches (Z cut in the inner edge of a reversely bent lip cl struck up on a cap d which is of opaque material and may present an orqnamental exterior surface. On the shoulder b of the reflector I) may rest a glass plate opening in the reflector I). Again, the devices by which the cap (Z and the plate e are detachably held in place on the reflector Z) may be changed through wide ranges, the invention not being limited to any such details.

In use it may be supposed that the improved form of fixture shown in Fig. 1 has the reflector I) mounted in inverted position with the opaque cap d held in light-proof engagement with the reflector as through the engagement of the pin 6 with the lip d of the cap, it being understood that the cap is placed in position by passing the pins through the notches d and then rotating the cap. When in this position the reflector b throws all of the light to the ceiling and the objects are illuminated in accordance with the indirect lighting system. If now, it is.

desired thatian element of direct lighting shall be included with this indirect lighting, as where an object under the fixture needs to have a more intense light thrown on it, the cap d may be readily detached fromthe reflector b in the way described, and the direct rays of the lightc permitted to 'pass downward through the glass plate 0. Whether this plate 6 is to be translucent or transparent will depend upon conditions, the invention including in its scope the use of interchangeable transparent and translucent plates andthe entire omission of the If conditions make itdesirable to removed before inversion.

ment of indirect lighting. 'scription thus far given, it will be appreciinverted position.

1,1es,eee

focus most of the light on objects below the fixture, to the partial exclusion of the more general illumination of the entire chamber by the indirect method, the reflector b is inverted so as to assume the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the cap d and plate 6 (where used), of course, being When the reflector is in'the position now under considation, most of the light will be thrown downward and direct illumination of the object effected, although where the diameter of the opening in the top of the reflector is greater than the diameter of the light 0, rays of light will pass upward and illuminate the ceiling, thereby introducing an ele- From the de ated that the supporting devices for the re flector Z) should be so disposed with respect thereto that the reflecting properties of the reflector will be unimpaired whether the reflector be in a depending position or in For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, the slots b which theends of the arms a engage, are formed at about the mid-section of the reflector 5, this reflector being of substantially conical form and the reflecting surfaces thereof being properly disposed with respect to the light 0 whether the reflector be in one position or another.

The reflector 6 shown in Fig. 6 differs only from that shown in Fig. 1 in that it is provided with a cap D'which, while substantially of the same character as the cap d is formed with a central opening D adapted to engage snugly some portion of the light c or its socket a when the reflector is sup- (that shown in full lines ported in depending position, thereby preventing any rays of light from passing upward and eliminating the element of indirect lighting referred to in connection with the description of Fig. 1. When the reflector Z) is mounted in inverted position in Fig. 1), the cap D shown in Fig. Gmay be employed where an element of direct lighting through the opening D is Wanted, or this cap may have interchanged therefor the cap (Z shown in Fig. 1. v

Reference is now to be had to the some-' what modified type of improved fixture illustrated in the embodiments shown in 7 and 9. In these embodiments the re ectors are not invertible, but are intendedv "to remain in position for indirect lighting,

provision being made in each instance for an element of direct lighting, either outright or toa somewhat modified degree. In Fig. 7, the reflector g is supported by suitable arms '72, attached to the fixture A-',---and' may be provided at its lower edge with a shouldered flan e g on the outer periphry of whicli'may be fixed laterally extending pins 9 for engagemen't'with key hole slots openings to;

z in lugs 71l -..ci.ii't5(l to a bottom cap Z of opaque material and preferably of ornamental appearance. The cap Z is suspended from the reflector g by engaging the enlarged portions of the key-hole slots 2' w th the pins g and then rotating the cap with respect to the pins, in a manner which will. be obvious. The cap Z, it will be observed, is preferably of similar form to the reflector g and has its mouth of greater diameter than the diameter of the bottom of the reflector so that a space is left between the cap and the outer walls of the reflector for the passage of light. By this construction, when the cap is in the position illustrated in Fig. 7, indirect lighting will. be effected and, in addition, the rays of light which pass through the opening in the bottom of the reflector and through the glass plate m (which may be employed, if desired, as pointed out with respect to the other embodiments of the invention), will be reflected from the inner surface of the cap Z through the space between the cap and the walls of the reflector g and thrown over the surface of the reflector, thereby illuminating the same highly. The illumination thus secured by the reflected light on the outer surface of the reflector may be termed a somewhat modified form of direct lighting. However,

if desired, the rays from the light 0 may be 'bles, in principle of operation, that shown in Fig. 7. In this embodiment, the reflector n is imperforate, so far as regards the escape of light through the walls thereof, except for a row of openings 7?. arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane and preferably adjacent the upper edge of the reflector. Fitting rather snugly within the reflector a, and in proximity to the row of openings therein, is supported a ring 0 in which is formed a series of openings 0 corresponding to the openings 01. in the reflector n and adapted to be brought, respectively, into registry through the wall of the reflector, or to be moved out of registry therewith to blank ,the holes and prevent the escape of light. This with these last-named permlt the passage of light ringo, which will find many mechanical equivalents, may be supported conveniently in position on a spider, the arms of which 0 conform in outlineto the contour of the reflector and are secured at their lower edges to a rotatable spindle 0 which passes through the reflector a, coaxial with the reflector, and is provided on the outer side-of therefisector with a knob 0 to facilitate oscillation of the spider and and is preferably the ring 0. The reflector a may be supported conveniently'by arms p which may be arranged to pass through slots 0 formed in the ring 0, these slots being of such length as to limit the rotative movement of the ring in each instance toa degree necessary to insure registration of the holes a and 0 in one extreme position and blanking of the holes 71, in the other extreme position. With the reflector n, or supported thereon, is a reflecting rim q, the reflecting surface of which is so disposed with respect to the openings at as to receive the direct rays of light therefrom when these holes are open and reflect these rays downwardly and reversely against the outer surface of the re flector n so as to illuminate the same highly. In this way an element of direct lighting is obtained to a modified degree, with the indirect lighting insured by the opaque reflector 71., as pointed out with respect to the illuminated surface of the reflector g in Fig. 7. By manual manipulation of the ring 0 through the exposed knob 0* the holes 'n, can be blanked and the fixture converted into one of the indirect lighting type.

As has been emphasized. throughout this specification, the several fixtures disclosed are intended tobe merely illustrative of the different types or embodiments of this invention, the gist of which resides in the provision of a fixture equipped with devices for converting it intoone intended to afford illumination in accordance with any one of the systems briefly referred to in the preamble or in accordance with varying combinations of these systems as appears from the specific description. It is also important to state that Where reference has been made to the use of an invertible opaque reflector, a translucent one may be substituted and the effects of a semi-indirect lighting system thereby secured. lie-arrangements of the parts and modifications in the details of structure will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, but all such departures from the preferred embodiments are to be deemedwvithin the spirit of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a source of light, a lighting fixture having an opaque reflec tor, means to support the reflector in inverted'position to throwrays of light upward, said reflector .having an opening formed in its bottom to give auseful element ofdirect downward lighting and a flat translucent plate mounted in the opening.

2. In combination with a source of light, a lighting fixture having an opaque reflector, means to support the reflector in in 'verted position to throw rays of light upward, said reflector having an opening formed in its bottom to give a useful Q1 messes ment of direct downward lighting, a flat translucent plate mounted in the opening, and removable opaque devices normally covering the opening.

3. In combination With a fixed sourceof light, an invertible reflector and relatively fixed supporting arms to engage the reflector in inverted position or, at the same points of engagement, in depending positionto support the reflector in inverted position in desired focal relation to the light orin de pending position in substantially the same focal relation, respectively.

L. In combination with a fixed source of light, an invertible reflector, relatively fixed supporting arms for the reflector and means to engage the supporting arms with the reflector in inverted position to support the reflectorin inverted position in desired focal relation to the light, said arms being engageable with the reflector at the same points of engagement in depending position to support the reflector in depending position in. substantially the same focal relation to the light and said reflector being invertible without disturbing the fixed source of light or the supporting arms.

5. In combination with a fixed source of light,- an invertible reflector provided with an opening in its bottom, relatively. fixed supporting arms to engage the reflector in inverted position, or at the same points of engagementin depending position, to support the reflector in inverted position in de sired focal relation to the light or in depending position substantially in the same focal relation, respectively, an opaque cap to close the opening and cut off the element of direct lighting when the reflector is in inverted position, and means to support the cap detachably on the reflector.

(S. In combinatlon with a source of-hght, a hghtmg fixture having arms and a reflector provided with slots to receive the ends of said arms to support the reflector, said arms and slots being 'soformed and disposed with respect to each other as to permit the reflector to be inverted and maintain its proper reflecting position With respect to the source of light.

7. In combination with a source of light, a lighting fixture having spring arms secured thereto, andan'opaque' reflector provided with slotsthrough which the ends of said arms pass respectively to support the reflector, said arms and slots being so formed .and disposed with respect to each other as to permit thereflector tobe inverted and maintain its proper reflecting position 'withrespect to the source of light.

8. In combination With a source of light,

' a lighting fixture having spring arms, an

tor 'being formed in its bottom with a flanged opening, laterally extending pins carried on said flange, an 0 Jaque cap formed with a reversely bent lip s otted on its inner periphery to permit the'engagement or disengagement of the cap with the pins over the opening, whereby the cap can be removed to give an element of direct lighting when the reflector is supported in its in- 10 verted position and permit'the reflector to he supported in a depending position for direot lighting by passing the source of light through the opening.

This specification signed and witnessed this 30th day of March, A. D. 1915.

ERNEST C. WHITE.

Signed in thelpresence of- Y ELLA J. KRUGER, FRANCIS J. MURPHY. 

